Walid Moallem says Damascus willing to consider renewal of peace talks with Israel if latter agrees to all preconditions, vows no agreement possible until occupied Lebanese, Palestinian lands returned

Roee Nahmias |Published: 22.03.09 , 00:22

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said in an interview with al-Jazeera Saturday that "Syria is a state of conflicts still at war with Israel and the occupied territories."

Moallem added, "It's natural that Syria will always act to obtain bargaining chips; this, along with its belief that peace cannot be achieved solely through diplomatic channels but also through support of the resistance. Resistance is a legitimate right of the people."

When asked whether his country would be willing to renew peace talks with a government led by Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu he said, "Syria would be willing to renew only indirect talks, on two conditions: Israel's commitment to withdraw to the1967 borders, as well as its commitment that the Syrian channel will not be used to harm the Palestinians."

"If Netanyahu's government consents to these conditions, Syria would be willing to engage in indirect talks through Turkish mediation," he said.

"If Israel responds positively to the demand to withdraw to the June 4, 1967 borders fully, Syria will clearly state that full peace will not be established as long as Israel does not withdraw from the occupied Lebanese and Palestinians territories," he added.

Moallem also stressed that his country would not make peace with Israel "until a Palestinian state is established with Jerusalem as its capital, and until the Palestinian refugees will be able to enjoy the right to return to their land."